URGENT UPDATE: New reports confirm that Los Angeles firefighters were aware of a fire still burning days before the devastating Pacific Palisades fire erupted, leading to widespread destruction. This alarming revelation comes from text messages obtained by the Los Angeles Times, highlighting serious concerns over fire management.
Just six days before the catastrophic blaze, firefighters were deployed to combat the Lachman Fire, which ignited on January 1, 2025. In text exchanges among firefighters, some expressed frustration that their commanders did not ensure the Lachman Fire was fully extinguished. One firefighter voiced disbelief that crews were ordered to pack up just a day after the fire started, despite still-hot tree stumps in the area.
Authorities arrested 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht on October 8, 2025, as part of a criminal investigation linking him to the Pacific Palisades fire. The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Central District of California confirmed that the Pacific Palisades fire was a continuation of the Lachman Fire, contradicting earlier political claims attributing the destruction to climate change.
“I couldn’t believe we walked away from that burn scar the way it was,” a firefighter stated in a message shared by former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who has publicly criticized the government’s response to the disaster.
Footage has emerged showing smoke rising from a smoldering bush just days before the Pacific Palisades fire broke out. This video forms part of the ongoing lawsuit against the state and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). In the aftermath of the blaze, residents have voiced their frustration, leading to significant backlash against both California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their handling of the crisis.
In February, Mayor Bass took decisive action by firing LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley following reports of failures in the department’s response to both the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires. This move aimed to address the growing concerns of residents affected by the fires.
As investigations continue, the implications of these findings could reshape how fire management is approached in California. The community demands accountability and transparency from officials as they navigate the aftermath of this disaster.
What happens next remains critical. Officials are expected to release more information regarding the investigation into the Pacific Palisades fire. Residents and concerned citizens are urged to stay tuned for updates as the situation develops.
